Sam Macomber wrote: >>>> Computer in question is a 17" iMac G5 running 10.5.6 has been running >>>> OS 10.5 for over 6 months flawlessly. This morning it started >>>> crashing at random progressively getting worse. While it was still >>>> functioning I ran disc utility disk checked out fine, repaired >>>> permissions(was not much wrong). Ran apple hardware test passed >>>> all >>>> tested on extended. After that it would not get past the blue >>>> start >>>> up screen. zapped PRAM, booted into single user I ran fsck found >>>> some errors, said it repaired them, still blue screen. target disk >>>> mode worked, copied important data off computer. tried 10.5 >>>> retail install DVD, blue screen. After several tries I got the >>>> installer screen, selected language locked up button became all >>>> pixelated and weird. tried booting off the HDD again got part of the >>>> menu bar froze up. tried swapping out the RAM for a known good stick >>>> from another machine, blue screen. Tried a firewire drive with a >>>> bootable copy of 10.5.3, blue screen >>>> >>>> on blue screens I always get a working mouse, sometimes it gives me >>>> the spinning color pinwheel. I noticed on the firewire drive even >>>> after 10minutes it was still accessing the HDD but was obviously >>>> locked up otherwise. >>>> >>>> put in the OE system install disk(10.4), booted and installed fine. >>>> got to the welcome screen music plays but the video freezes. >>>> reboot, same thing. also there are random incorrect pixels on the >>>> screen (once a few green ones, second time some magenta ones) >>>> >>>> -sam >>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>>> *From:* Sam Macomber <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>> *To:* [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, 1 April, 2009 3:15:07 AM >>>> *Subject:* Re: pooched iMac G5 >>>> >>>> >>>> Hasn't been moved from the desk since we got it new. Today was the >>>> first >>>> time it's been opened to test another RAM module in it, so RAM >>>> has been >>>> removed and re-seated twice now as has the power cord. Also after >>>> i sent >>>> this I let it sit, no power cord for an hour or so, no change. >>>> Tried it >>>> w/o the keyboard and mouse attached, no change(so power cord only). >>>> >>>> -sam >>>> >>>> > On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 5:22 PM, Sam Macomber <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> > >>>> > Thermal cycle loosening of RAM card or other component/ >>>> > >>>> > Dirty slot? >>>> > >>>> > Loose or bad connectors / cords ? >>>> > >>>> > Has it ever been dropped ? >>>> > >>>> >>>> Can't say for certain with the iMac G5, but I've experienced some >>>> real weird start-up problems with G3, G4 and G5 desktop systems all >>>> because the MoBo battery (little 3.6v half-AA battery) had expired. >>>> >>>> As their life varies from around 2.5 to 6 years, it might be worth >>>> replacing before you try anything more expensive... >>> >>> >>> >>> It's a big watch battery type, have a brand new one in my car remote >>> so I put that one in, no change just blue screen still. Also >>> zapped the PRAM again no change. >>> >>> guessing motherboard at this point. >>> >>> -sam >>> >>> >> Based on experience and not particularly on the imac, I will say you >> have a hardware problem. I always try to distinguish whether it's a >> hardware problem or a software issue first. Now having said that, the >> issue then is isolating the bad parts. Since you've checked memory, >> and perhaps dusted the memory slots. I will move onto checking out >> the video card, if it's one that you can remove, try another card. >> Open it up and look closely at capacitors; try to find one that looks >> different. I'm not sure, but I think it's the imac's---1.25 >> ghz---that have blown capacitor problems. >> Goodluck! > > > I just added the snipped part of the thread to the top of this, so > yes i have run AHT, PRAM zapping, reseating and swapping out > RAM(basically the only part that you can swap) video chip and > processor are soldered on the logic board. everything is remarkably > clean and new looking inside. just the smallest hint of dust in the > fans. Nothing looks out of place or broken, no 'burnt' smells or > anything. > > -sam > > > When you re-installed OS X was it on a different HD or the same HD. Going down the list of hardware now and the HD is the only thing I can think off. I understand your frustration. For almost a year now I've been working on identifying the hardware problem on a Powerbook. I finally did. It's the HD ribbon cable. Anyway, try swapping the HD, if you haven't. Though I must confess, the lower we go on the list of stuff to check/swap, the less likely those at the bottom are the source of your pain. Keep trying though. I did not think for a single second that the ribbon cable on a Powerbook could just up and quit.
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed Low End Mac's G3-5 List, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list?hl=en Low End Mac RSS feed at feed://lowendmac.com/feed.xml -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
